We have found that by creating a stable living environment, and providing nutritious meals our clients find a renewed hope. With hope, clients can more accurately assess their behaviors and skills, and develop a willingness to change behaviors and improve their skills. Clients create goals and FISH holds them accountable. As clients achieve small goals, we work on bigger goals, like developing skills to move from minimum wage jobs to meaningful careers.
We summarize our services using our name, FISH provides Food, Instruction, Shelter, and Health care. FISH has locations in Carson, Douglas and Lyon counties, where we provide “a hand-up, not a hand-out”. During FY 21'-22', FISH served 2,782 Households of which 2,104 (76%) were 200% under the federal poverty level. We provided 247,410 meals between our food banks and dining room, and 10,514 nights of shelter at our three emergency shelters.
The above numbers are UNDUPLICATED numbers, meaning even if a person came in many times last year, they were only counted once for these statistics.
FOCUS, Wylie, and Family Emergency Shelters made 32 emergency beds available year round.
FISH served as the agent for the NVEnergy Special Assistance Fund for Energy grant program, the Southwest Gas Utility Assistance program, and the Water In Motion water bill assistance program. In FY2021, FISH administered 591 grants for utility payments.
FISH continued to use our “community database”, FISH Application for Client Services, so local nonprofits and government agencies can jointly track and coordinate services for shared clients. This database improves overall services, reduces duplication of effort, and helps to identify “super utilizers” who over-use available community resources. We find that if our staff has to work harder than the client, the client will not succeed. So we challenge them to take an active role toward self-sufficiency.
Our Transitional Housing Program is designed to help families (who work a minimum of 40 hours per week and have kids under the age of 18) to get stabilized. FISH offers housing with low rent and gives these families 24 months to achieve a stable financial path. It's the next step to no longer needing assistance.
After nearly 25 years working for corporations, Jim began serving as Executive Director of FISH in 2009. Jim has experience rebuilding non-profits so they are self-sustaining and valued by the local community. He has focused on developing collaborative relationships to help improve and enhance the non-profits that he works with. Jim has a Master's Degree from Michigan State University and is a member of the local Pastor's Association and Rotary Club.
Lane, a Winnemucca native, joined FISH with over 15 years of management experience in Northern Nevada. With an MBA from UNR, he brings a unique organizational and strategic skillset to help in all of FISH's departments. Lane loves being with his kids on their homestead and getting outside whenever possible.
Lover of all things motorcycle. And rock 'n' roll. And football. And the great outdoors: hiking, biking, skiing, kayaking.
Briana, originally from Washington State, joined FISH in July of 2022 with a background in rural mental health services. Briana is a social worker with an MSW degree and a passion for working alongside individuals to assist them in living their most healthy and independent lives within their community. In her free time, Briana enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with her family.
Daniel started at FISH as a Social Work intern in 2021 and has since graduated from UNR. He joins our team as the Client Ally and has applied skills from his internship to his new role. Daniel is a bilingual Carson City native who is passionate about helping his community. He loves coffee, traveling, and attending festivals.
Nichole brings over 10 years of Marketing experience and three years working with non-profit organization to help increase awareness and expand reach. Nichole is an advocate for mental health care accessibility, trauma-informed care, and is an affluent yoga instructor in the region.
Jim has worked in a number of hotels and restaurants around the West and Colorado and came to settle in the Tahoe/Carson City area in 1979. He enjoys his profession and the food industry. On his off time he enjoys camping, reading, hiking and, of course, cooking.
John manages FISH's three homeless shelters. He has been with FISH since 2011 and has lived in Carson City since 2000. In his free time he enjoys fishing, sports, and attending to church.
Bobbie has been an integral part of the FISH team since 2016. Give her a visit at the Minden Thrift Store!
Native Nevadan of over 40+ years, born and raised all over Douglas County. Happily settled in at beautiful Carson Valley with my better half and a mother to 3 awesome boys, who keep me busy and motivated in everything I do! A big lover of anything that requires personal touch and creativity, including furniture restoration, DIY projects, cooking, gardening, and planning adventures for the family, big or small!